An Other Worldly Peace - February 13

Read John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Reflect

When people are seeking peace, what does our culture tend to suggest? Where do you look for peace?

This world is loud, chaotic, tragic, and violent. We wish for peace on earth and yet, deep down we all know that if world peace depends on people, we are doomed. It’s never going to happen.

The reason this world is never going to be at peace is because this world is not at peace with God. In John 12:31, Jesus referred to Satan as the “ruler of this world”. The apostle Paul called Satan “the god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:19 that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Confusion, chaos, lies, violence, division, and death abound leaving us anxious and afraid.

We recognize our need for peace and the world offers many solutions. Some of those suggestions are more helpful than others. But ultimately, all of these strategies fall short because they are superficial solutions to a deeply spiritual problem. They are temporary fixes to an eternal issue.

Thankfully, in today’s verses, Jesus offered us a lasting and true solution to our lack of peace. He offered His peace which is different from the incomplete and insufficient peace the world has to give.

How does Jesus’ peace differ from the peace of this world? My ESV study Bible from Crossway notes: “the expression peace (Hb. shalom) had a much richer connotation than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God…and also, as a result, the idea that ‘all is well’ in one’s life.”

You see, no matter how much we medicate or meditate, if we are not right with God, we will never truly be at peace. Sleep, diet, and exercise are important tools to reduce our stress but if we are still at odds with our Creator, our souls will never rest. And is there ever any hope for world peace? No, not apart from Christ. This world will not be free from conflict, turmoil, evil, or suffering until Jesus returns, defeats Satan, judges evil doers once and for all, and establishes the New Heaven and the New Earth.

So, how can we receive the peace that Jesus said He left us? By accepting His gift of mercy and grace by placing your faith in Christ! He died in our place on the cross, bearing the punishment for our sin, and making a way for us to be made right with God.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:1, 8-11).

The peace that Jesus left us is a perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3) because in Christ, we are reconciled to God, our Father. It’s an other-worldly peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), because we know that no matter what goes on in our lives or in this crazy world, we cannot be separated from God. We don’t have to be troubled or afraid anymore. In Christ, we are His.

Respond

Jesus, thank You for Your perfect peace. Because you have restored my relationship with God, I know in my soul that all is well forever. When trouble comes, remind me that my heart does not need to be troubled or afraid because I am safe in You. Amen.

Reveal

Do you know someone who is feeling anxious, afraid, or restless? Tell them how they can accept Jesus’ gift of out of this world peace.